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PHOTOS: Okanagan Fest of Ale announces best beer, cider, food awards

People choose sour beer from Kelowna and judge’s choice was for Firehall’s Stout

The masses of people who tasted at this year’s hugely successful Fest of Ale have spoken. The Okanagan Fest of Ale’s 2023 People’s Choice awards were announced at the end of the day Saturday with Best Beer going to a Kelowna brewery.

Four South Okanagan breweries and cideries took home hardware at the Fest of Ale.

BEST BEER:

Copper Brewing for their Lemon Drop Sour

BEST FOOD:

Taste Brodo, Penticton’s own award-winning restaurant who served up Chicago style sandwiches dipped in IPA au jus with a dessert of Cannery Darkling Stout beer brownies with a whisky cream cheese and brown butter milk crumbs.

BEST CIDER:

Summerland’s Heritage Cider won for their Tuesday’s Original

From Victoria to Kelowna and up to Prince George, some of the most beloved beers and ciders could be tasted in Penticton this weekend.

The Okanagan Fest of Ale returned indoors and outdoors at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15.

Around 10,000 people on both days were seen at the event, taking in its 75 craft beer vendors, 13 unique food stands and live music.

BEST IN CLASS

Ferdinand Vienna Lager by Strange Fellows Brewing

Light Duty Lager at Highway 97 in Penticton

Sunkissed Apricot Wheat Ale from Lakesider beer

Nautical Nonsense Slackwater Brewing

London Fog Mild Ale at Smithers Brewing

Belgian and French Ales

Mountain Bluebird Belgian Wit at Lillooet Beer

*Local Honourable Mentions

Oliver’s Firehall Brewery’s Mutual Aid Imperial Stout

Cucumber Mint Cider Howling Moon Cider

JUDGES CHOICE - BEST IN SHOW

Mutual Aid Imperial Stout from Firehall Brewery

READ MORE: What a party! Fest of Ale welcomes thousands of thirsty patrons



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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